Borden-Carleton area businesses awarded $2 million in McCain grants

Premier Wade MacLauchlan, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Heath MacDonald and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Pat Murphy join the successful applicants into the $2 million McCain Adjustment Fund in Borden Carleton.

Mayor Dean Sexton sees a promising future for Borden-Carleton and its surrounding area that will be made brighter by grants from the McCain Foods Adjustment Fund.

Nine businesses and the municipal government today were awarded a total of $2 million in grants from the transition fund, which McCain’s set up when its plant closed in October 2014. Innovation PEI established a steering committee to administer the fund and review funding applications; the committee included representatives from Innovation PEI, Borden-Carleton, the Central Development Corporation, ACOA, and McCain’s.

“The nine new and existing businesses being supported under the fund will bring new jobs, products, and an improved economy to our region,” Mayor Sexton said. “In addition, the grant awarded to the town itself will allow council to further explore new economic development opportunities in the region.

“This fund helps to further solidify our community’s economic future and I thank McCain’s for this legacy.”

The 10 successful applicants announced today include:

• MacDougall Steel - $1 million

• Silliker Glass - $300,000

• Atlantic Beef Products - $142,000

• Mrs. Dunsters - $26,000

• Tree Top Haven - $25,000

• Island Apple Storage - $25,000

• PEI Handpie Company - $7,000

• Town Of Borden Carleton - $50,000

• Canadian Cold Storage - $200,000 (subject to project approval)

• Larkins Poultry - $225,000 (subject to project approval)

It is anticipated up to 328 jobs will be created through these projects based on company projections.

“The size of our province gives us an integrated, connected economy where all businesses have a role to play in enhancing our prosperity,” Premier Wade MacLauchlan said. “Support from the McCain Adjustment Fund will help these Borden-Carleton businesses create jobs, increase their exports, and spur economic growth that will be felt by the entire province.”

“The projects supported through the McCain Adjustment Fund are worth just over $31 million, which speaks to the amount of economic activity happening in this region and the bright future for many businesses in the area,” Economic Development and Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald said. “I offer sincere congratulations to all the successful applicants and I wish them the best of luck with their projects.”

“Rural communities like Borden Carleton form the engine that drives the provincial economy,” Rural and Regional Development Minister Pat Murphy said. “Some of these projects will directly benefit primary producers across the province while others further strengthen the economy and employment in this rural community.”

Background

McCain Fund Recipients

Atlantic Beef Products - $142,000
The company will use the funding to purchase new equipment for the ground beef line to portion and weigh ground beef to meet the changing needs of its customers.

Town of Borden Carleton - $50,000
As part of the town’s strategic tourism planning initiative a spatial master plan will be developed.

Island Apple Storage Association - $25,000
Island Apple Storage Association will construct and operate a “controlled atmosphere” storage facility in the Borden-Carleton area that will have the capability to hold up to 1000 bins of apples.

MacDougall Steel Erectors - $1 million
MacDougall Steel erectors will use the funds to convert the former McCain property and for the diversification of their steel fabrication business.

Mrs Dunsters (1996) Inc - $26,000
A new stone hearth oven will be purchased in order to maintain the quality and increase production of its artisan product line.

The Handpie Company - $7,000
The Hand Pie Company will use the funds to purchase new equipment that will increase production of the handpie product lines.

Tree Top Haven Inc - $25,000
Treetop Haven is a unique experience in tourism accommodations. The accommodation houses guests in treepods. Funds will be used to expand the events hosting capacity of the business.

Canadian Cold Storage - $200,000 (conditional on project approval)
Canadian Cold Storage Inc. will construct and operate a state-of-the-art cold storage facility in Borden Carleton that will have a capability to hold up to 5 million pounds.

Larkin Brothers Inc. - $225,000 (conditional on project approval)
Larkin Bros will use the funds to establish a new poultry processing facility with the aim of increasing value added products and increased market share.